DAVID Dunn today admitted he's gutted to be missing out on an end of season showdown with his former Blackburn team-mates.

Dunn was hoping to make an emotional return to Ewood Park with Birmingham City tomorrow, almost a year after quitting Rovers for St Andrews in a £5.5 million deal.

However, a recurrence of an old hamstring injury has shattered the England midfielder's dreams of facing his old club and he will now have to be content with watching the game from the stands.

"I'm gutted I won't be playing tomorrow because I'd been looking forward to the game all season," said Dunn.

"When I came back against Arsenal a couple of weeks ago, I thought I was going to make it but my hamstring still doesn't feel right and we've now decided it's best if I leave it until next season.

"It's disappointing because I've always kept in touch with the lads and we still speak on the phone all the time.

"It would have been great to come back and play at Ewood, particularly now that Blackburn are safe.

"I must admit it would have been difficult for me to go and play there if Rovers still needed a result to stay up.

"But thankfully that's no longer an issue and I was as pleased as anyone when they got the points they needed."

Dunn's latest injury set-back is indicative of the way his season has gone.

Initially, when he first joined City he appeared to be flying and he was instrumental in leading the Blues to fourth position in what was an embryonic Premiership table.

However, a series of hamstring problems then restricted his appearances during the second half of the campaign.

And his latest comeback was then crudely cut-short following a promising display against Arsenal recently.

"I was flying at the start of the season and the team was doing well," said Dunn.

"But then my form dipped a little bit, probably because I was trying a little bit too hard, and I went through a month or so where I wasn't playing that well.

"After a while, though, I started to come to again and I felt I was playing well until I got injured.

"So it's been a bit frustrating but there's not much I can do about it other than concentrate on getting fit again as soon as I can."

Despite Dunn's absence, Birmingham have continued to make great strides under Steve Bruce this term and they are on course for their best top-flight finish since 1973.

Bruce's ability to attract promising young stars like Dunn to St Andrews has been one of the key factors in the Blues' revival.

Matthew Upson and Mikael Forsell, in particular, have had pivotal roles in the club's recent renaissance.

And rumours abound that Chelsea's Jesper Gronkjaer and Liverpool striker Emile Heskey could soon be joining them as the Blues sets their sights on a possible push for Europe next season.

Not surprisingly, the speculation has already started linking Bruce with a move to a bigger club.

And Dunn even believes the amiable Geordie may go on to manage England one day.

"Why not? He's got to be one of the best young English managers in the Premiership," said the 24-year-old.

"He came from Crystal Palace when they were doing really well and I think he's taken this club on in the last two years.

"One of his biggest strengths is his man-management skills. The way he works with the lads is brilliant.

"He's also very ambitious, too. He was captain of Manchester United for a lot of years so he knows what it's like to win things as a player and I'm sure he wants to experience that as a manager, too."

In the meantime, Dunn has started to settle into life at his new club after taking the tough decision to quit Rovers last summer.

Initially, he found it tough getting used to living away from his family and friends but these days the Midlands feels more like home for a player who will always have a soft spot for his old club.

"It took a while to settle in at first. I'd played for Blackburn all my life and it was difficult to let go," added Dunn.

"There were times when I did feel homesick but all the lads did their best to make me welcome and I feel a lot more settled now."